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| Disasters |
In the popular mind the word disaster is generally associated with great and sudden misfortunes which carry off many lives at a single stroke. For historians of coal mining the disaster label has tended to be reserved for spectacular incidents, such as an explosion of firedamp, which have cost the lives of tens and even hundreds of men and boys. There are many disasters that might happen in a coal mine but they can generally be classified into 3 types: explosion, flood and roof-falls.
As with all other coal mining areas, North Staffordshire has suffered its share of tragedy from colliery disasters. Methane gas, water, blackdamp and coaldust have been the major hazards.
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Explosion: The main cause of explosions in mines is methane gas or firedamp |
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Flooding: The deeper the pit the greater the danger from flooding. |